Local Listing Question

[JohnWeb12]

We have a client that has signed on with a national business network for contractors.  This was done without our consent, so I wanted to get everyone's feel on whether or not we should talk them out of continuing this partnership.

The example I am showing is not our client, but they are part of this network and have the exact type of setup.

Regular website: http://www.palmerheatingandcooling.com
Network webpage: http://www.heatingandair.com/annapolis-marlyand

Regular Google Plus Local Profile: https://plus.google.com/117245435648294066529/about?hl=en
Network Google Plus Local Profile: https://plus.google.com/112323273882064003718/about?hl=en

Here is a local search with both profiles showing up:http://goo.gl/8fxZV
I have attached a screenshot of the results.

Is this type of partnership ok in Google's eyes?  Is this network listing going to hurt their regular listing in the future?

ZGPJfvi

[Chris.Menke]

John,

Not quite sure what you're asking there, homey.  What is your definition of a network?

[MiriamEllis]

Hi JohnWeb12,

Your final link is actually not taking me to the intended results, because it's localizing to my own city, so I can't see this. But, yes, in the other links, there is reason for concern if any third party is creating a Google+ Local page for your client. The one thing I'm not clear on is that, in your provided example, 2 different addresses and phone numbers are being used - one in Edgewater and one in Annapolis. I would need to fully understand the situation to totally 'get' what is going on here. If the company in your example is just one company, and, let's say, the address on the directory page is virtual rather than a real location, then, yes, that could certainly hurt the business. If, in your client's case, 2 Google+ Local pages have been built for the same location, then that is totally a violation.

It's fine to list a business on a directory, but I would never recommend that you link a Google+ Local page of any kind to a directory page. In fact, I will go so far as to say that no third party should ever be creating Google+ Local pages for businesses. Those should always, always belong to/be in the control of the business owner, and not anyone else. So, while I wasn't able to access that very important final link to get what's going on here, I do think you have reason for concern, but how harmful the situation may be isn't something I can ascertain unless you can publish your actual client's own details so that the nuances of the situation are clear.